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Synopsis

The Chief Justice of India is currently visiting Nepal on a three-day official stay, becoming the first CJI to visit the neighboring nation.

On Saturday, the CJI spoke at the National Symposium on Juvenile Justice where he said that juvenile justice systems must adapt by enhancing international cooperation and sharing best practices to tackle growing transnational digital crimes involving minors, amidst the rapid evolution of technology.

While speaking at the symposium, Justice Chandrachud also recalled an incident from school wherein he was caned.

"How you treat children has a deep impact on them...I will never forget that day...I was not a juvenile delinquent when my hands were caned. I was learning craft and didn't bring the right sized needles to class for an assignment," he said.

The physical wound healed, but an everlasting imprint on my mind and soul is still with me when I do my work, the CJI said while recollecting how he hid his injury from his parents for 10 days out of shame.

CJI Chandrachud further remarked that we need to recognise the vulnerabilities and unique needs of children embroiled in legal disputes and ensure that our justice systems respond with compassion, rehabilitation and opportunities for reintegration into society.

"It is crucial to grasp the multifaceted nature of juvenile justice and its intersections with various dimensions of the societies", he said.

At the domestic level, the CJI pressed that specific training in child protection rules is essential to ensure that all stakeholders involved in the juvenile justice system have the necessary knowledge and skills to safeguard the rights and well-being of children.

This training as per the CJI should include various aspects of child protection, such as understanding child development, recognizing signs of abuse or neglect, and familiarizing oneself with relevant laws and procedures.